He’s known for being one of the toughest names in Australian sport. But rugby league star Nathan Peats isn’t afraid to show his sensitive side.

The 27-year-old Gold Coast Titans player has taken to Twitter to praise “all the mums out there,” after admitting that he struggled to care for his young children when his partner, Jade, went away for the weekend.

He vented that he “hadn’t had a chance to do anything” or take advantage of his downtime during the off-season, because he’d been so busy with parenting duties.

“Twice I’ve had to go to the toilet while holding the baby because I was about to pee myself and he was screaming,” he added.

“I’ve had to eat my food in two seconds and not enjoy it because one of the kids wanted something or the baby has fallen because he can’t hold himself up yet. There was a 40 minute period where they were both asleep and it’s nasty to say but thank the lord because it was the only time I had to myself.”

Finishing the lengthy post with a tribute to the women in his life, he explained that the experience had opened his eyes to just how much they do behind-the-scenes:

“To all the mums out there and especially my partner Jade and my mum, hats off to you legends.”